Solid Backhoe for $35K possible?

[skyhook]

Yeah, that's sort of what I was guessing...maybe a hydraulic hammer. Either way, I'm happy it's there!

Sorry GMan, I was thinking on the rear, the front would probably be for a grapple etc, plow angle.

 

[GManBart]

Nice looking machine!! Surprised that a model as new as it is doesn't have AC.

That is some crazy looking bucket curl linkage, never seen one like that.

I was surprised too...lots of machines this age don't have AC. When I searched (daily) on places like Machinery Trader it sort of made sense from a regional perspective. Within maybe 500mi of here, only a few machines had AC. Look down south, or in the southwest, and many/most had AC. There were a couple around here with AC at a similar price point, but they sold quickly, and the rest were 250-500mi from me, so I never got to look at them before they sold (most within a week). Oh well, I can wear shorts and a light shirt, and not have to worry about sunburn

I'm thinking you might be seeing the quick attach bracket where the curl arms attach maybe? It's sort of like a huge SSQA plate with hooks on the top, and pins on the bottom that attaches to the loader arms rather than having them pin directly to the bucket.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I added a grapple to my full sized backhoe, it became a whole new animal. The hoe is great for clearing brush and taking down trees, but getting them to the burn pile was always a challenge. Wrapping them with a chain and dragging them was the most effective way, but it was slow and labor intensive. Just getting on and off of the machine was a workout during 100 degrees temps during the summer. Now with the grapple, everything is faster and easier. It also made burning better because there is not dirt mixed in with the debris.

Congratulations, that's a beautiful machine.

Eddie

 

[GManBart]

When I added a grapple to my full sized backhoe, it became a whole new animal. The hoe is great for clearing brush and taking down trees, but getting them to the burn pile was always a challenge. Wrapping them with a chain and dragging them was the most effective way, but it was slow and labor intensive. Just getting on and off of the machine was a workout during 100 degrees temps during the summer. Now with the grapple, everything is faster and easier. It also made burning better because there is not dirt mixed in with the debris.

Congratulations, that's a beautiful machine.

Eddie

A grapple is really high on my wish list! I've got lots of dead Ash trees that I've been cleaning up the last couple of winters, and a couple of big brush piles started, so a grapple would save me a bunch of time. Forks are better than dragging, but a grapple really is the best way to go about it. After buying the machine I might have to wait a while to buy a grapple or my wife could start to get a bit cranky about my spending habits

 

[BukitCase]

Bart, congrats on your new toy (er, tool ) - when you're looking at grapples, here's one that might work for you

Skid Steer Extreme Root Grapple

I bought their 72" one last year, it's still sitting on a pallet waiting for me to finish my QA on the old 580B (along with several hydraulic mods) - mine weighs right at 930 pounds, inside tines are 1/2", outers on the lids are 5/8 as are outer grapple tines. I ordered it without their standard SSQA and will add a Case compatible hitch as soon as the basic QA is done.

Speaking of QA's, I'd really appreciate it if you could get a few pix of your loader QA setup, I've not seen one for a Case before - just decided to build a herky version of (I think) Kubota, and I'd like to see if I'm on the right (or similar) track.

First thing I'm gonna add (after the grapple stuff, of course) is a 3PH quick hitch for the front. Gettin' too old to think the "Linda Blair" act is a good idea

Anyway, pix if/when you get the chance - thanks... Steve

 

[EddieWalker]

I tried using forks, but everything kept falling off all the time.

If I was to buy another grapple, I would look for one with a solid bottom so I could also move a small amount of dirt. The open design of them sounds great in theory for allowing dirt to fall off, but it doesn't really work that way. Having two arms that come down works great and I wouldn't want it any other way.



Eddie

 

[D7E]

Sorry GMan, I was thinking on the rear, the front would probably be for a grapple etc, plow angle.

4 in 1 bucket probably !

 

[skyhook]

4 in 1 bucket probably !

Yes, for sure...

 

[GManBart]

Anyway, pix if/when you get the chance - thanks... Steve

Sure thing...I'll make sure to post some of the complete setup.

 

[GManBart]

I tried using forks, but everything kept falling off all the time.

If I was to buy another grapple, I would look for one with a solid bottom so I could also move a small amount of dirt. The open design of them sounds great in theory for allowing dirt to fall off, but it doesn't really work that way. Having two arms that come down works great and I wouldn't want it any other way.

View attachment 401998

Eddie

Good points. I moved a lot of trees and brush with the forks on my LS, but it did require some care to load them carefully to keep from having stuff fall off a lot, and lashing stuff down with a rope wastes a lot of time.